Employees at Canada’s two biggest railways have authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in three weeks if they are unable to reach new deals on contract demands. The workers’ union, the Public Employee Federation, hosted a rally outside of the facility Wednesday. …About 6,000 employees at Canadian National Railway and 3,300 at Canadian Pacific Kansas City voted more than 97% in favour of a strike mandate. “After six months of negotiations with both companies, we are no closer to reaching a settlement than when we first began. Both companies are trying to strip our collective agreements of safety-critical rest provisions,” said union president Paul Boucher. …Boucher warned that a work stoppage would disrupt supply chains on an unprecedented scale, calling for a deal that does not “put profits over people.” CPKC said that the two deal options it has presented provide major benefits to workers.
BURNABY, BC — Interfor announced plans to reduce its lumber production by approximately 175 million board feet between May and September of 2024, representing just under 10% of its normal operating stance. The temporary curtailments will impact all of Interfor’s operating regions, including the US South, through a combination of reduced operating hours, prolonged holiday breaks, reconfigured shifting schedules and extended maintenance shut-downs. The curtailments are in response to persistently weak market conditions. “Benchmark lumber prices have continued to weaken since the beginning of the year, from already unsustainably low levels, as available supply has outstripped product demand,” said Ian Fillinger, Interfor’s CEO. “This action… follows Interfor’s February 15, 2024 announcement to indefinitely curtail its sawmill operations in Philomath, Oregon. The Philomath sawmill had an annual production capacity of 220 million board feet and ceased operations and shipments at the end of March 2024.
The BC Forest Practices Board serves the public interest as the independent watchdog for BC’s sound forest and range practices. The Board is an Administrative Tribunal established in legislation; it operates independent from government ministries and must make its decisions in the public interest. The Board has a legislated mandate to conduct audits and investigations of forest and range practices and report its findings to the public. The Executive Director leads the delivery of the Board’s operational, administrative and financial responsibilities as a public sector organization. The Board’s programs have broad provincial implications. They can result in significant impacts and influence on government programs, policies and legislation, to the forest and range industries in BC, and the stewardship of forest and range resources.
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s redetermination of its anti-dumping decision following October 2023 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel ruling: “I am deeply disappointed with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s redetermination in response to the finding from the NAFTA panel that they had erred. We will continue to stand firm against unfair actions taken against our forestry workers. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued its redetermination in response to the NAFTA panel. I am disappointed with the Department of Commerce’s reissued decision. The only correct outcome would see a reversal of their original decision. Instead, the Department of Commerce has chosen to make minor adjustments that fail to address the NAFTA panel’s instructions. We continue to work … relentlessly pursue our claims… Rest assured that we will do everything we can to seek a better outcome for our softwood lumber exporters.”
Vancouver, BC – Canfor Corporation is announcing that it has entered into a purchase agreement with Resolute El Dorado Inc., an affiliate of Domtar Corporation, to acquire its El Dorado lumber manufacturing facility in Union County, Arkansas. The US$73 million acquisition, including working capital, will create synergies and vertical integration opportunities given its complementary geographic fit with Canfor’s existing operations in the region. The facility, which is close to key end-markets, produces dimensional lumber and specialty wood products. Its integration will capitalize on the Company’s regional manufacturing footprint to optimize product portfolio and maximize value. Leveraging Canfor’s experience and expertise, and with an anticipated further $50 million in planned upgrades, production capacity is expected to increase to 175 million board feet per year.
The largest privately owned logging company in B.C. has filed for creditor protection, saying it no longer has the cash flow to maintain operations and pay off its debts. Surrey based Teal-Jones Group with operations throughout the province and the United States, filed its request in B.C. Supreme Court on April 24. The company has been in business since 1946 and said it’s been largely profitable over the decades. However, Teal Jones said in its filing, a combination of falling lumber prices and rising inflationary pressures since the beginning of 2023 have landed it in a place where it can no longer meet obligations to creditors on time. …As part of its application, Teal Jones has chosen international business advisory company PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc (PWC) to act as a monitor over the process. It will be PWC’s responsibility to report to the court on Teal Jones’ operations and help with developing a plan of arrangement.
Boucher Bros. Lumber Ltd. has been ordered to pay $102,000 following a guilty plea for violating Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The penalty stems from a workplace incident where a worker suffered injuries after coming into contact with the blades of a wood planer. The incident occurred on Sept. 28, 2022, at the company’s Nampa, Alta., location. Initially facing 12 charges under the OHS legislation, the Crown withdrew 11 after the guilty plea was entered in the Peace River Court of Justice on April 15. Instead of a traditional fine, the payment will fund a mill safety education campaign managed by the Alberta Forest Products Association. This initiative includes the development of safety education videos targeting the lumber industry, utilizing the “creative sentence” provision of the OHS Act. This option allows for fines to be redirected to projects that enhance workplace safety.
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Spend any time thinking or talking about insurance in California these days and you’re bound to hear the word “mitigation.” Fire officials, lawmakers, insurance agents, and others are asking homeowners to help lower the risk of devastating wildfires by making improvements to their properties—in some cases at great expense—and often in the context of trying to keep their insurance policies. The state has spent about $3.7 billion on forest management in the past seven years. Communities, fire districts, and others are doing their part, too. But some insurance companies citing growing risks and costs have paused or stopped writing new policies in California, causing a crisis of home-insurance affordability and availability. Some homeowners have 
